Printing frame



P 1941- H. A; ULSHEIMER 2,257,581

45 I 74 INVENTOR fixer 4. Hum-mm? PRINT ING FRAME Filed Sept. 16, 1959 e Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS.

p 1941- HQA. ULSHEIMER I 2,257,581

PRINTING FRAME 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 16, 1959 INVENTOR HENRY A. (/LSHE/MER 11mm Aw ATTORNEYS I Sept. 30, 1941- H. A. ULSHEIMER JPRINTING FRAME Filed Sept; 16, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 will!!! mn ml 'ENVENTOR Sept. 30, 1941.

H. A. ULSHEIMER PRINTING FRAME Filed Sept. 16,.1959

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN HENRY A. ULSHE/MEK flaw M ATTORNEY S H. A. ULSHEIMER Sept. 30, 1941.

PRINT ING FRAME 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 16, 1939 ATTORNEYS- Patented Sept. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING FRAME Henry A. Ulsheimer, Scarsdale, N. Y.

Application September 16, 1939, Serial No. 295,161

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in printing frames and has for an object, the provision of a novel printing frame and supports therefor in which said frame may be accurately set with respect to a source of illumination in two planes.

I Another object of the invention is the provision of a printing frame pivotally mounted on a subframe and the sub-frame pivotally mounted on a support, each of the pivotal mounts being provided with protractor means so that definite angular settings may be made.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a printing frame in which the cover portion is pivotally mounted on the body portion and in which balancing means is provided whereby said cover portion will stay in any position in which it is placed, thereby permitting the operator to use both hands for setting up the job to be done in the frame.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a printing frame carried in a gimbal supported upon a main frame and automatic means for locking said gimbal and frame in its normal position, said locking means being releas'able by means of a foot pedal, said frame also including locking means for locking the cover and the base of the frame together and releasable when the frame is in its normal position, said locking means being non-releasable except when the frame is in its normal position.

Other obj ects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Referring to the drawings, which are merely given by way of example to show one embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a perspective view of the new and improved printing frame, the frame and the gimbal respectively having been set in angular relation;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional elevation of the frame, Figure 1, taken along the line 2-2;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the vacuum connections to the new and improved printing frame;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the new and improved printing frame taken from the rear and having the frame and its gimbal in a vertical position;

Figure 5 is an end view of the frame as seen from the left end of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View taken along the line 6-45 of Figure 4;

Figure? is a view similar to Figure 4 except that the printing frame and its gimbal have been turned on the gimbals pivots;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of the base portion of th frame and the gimbal showing the manual locking device and the vacuum controlled locking device provided for preventing the frame from being opened when it is in positions other than its normal horizontal position;

Figure 9 is a view of the hand releasable locking device shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional elevation showing constructional details of the new and improved printing frame, which view is taken along the line llll of Figure 4;

Figure 11 is a sectional view showing constructional details of the frame as seen along the line ll-ll of Figure l;

Figure 12 is a view, partly in section, taken along the line l2l2 of Figure 4;

Figure 13 is a view showing details of the mounting of the cover of the printing frame on its base, the cover being closed;

Figure 14 is a View similar to Figure 13 except that the cover portion of the frame is open;

Figure 15 is. a' fragmentary sectional elevation taken along the line l5-l5 of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view taken along the line l6l6 of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a plan view showing details of the locking and setting devices shown along the upper edge of the printing frame in Figure 4; and

Figure 18 is an elevation taken along the line l8-l8 of Figure 17.

A main supporting frame consists of vertical uprights 20' and 2| spaced apart from each other by a member 22, the upright 20 being provided with a horizontal foot 23, and the upright 2| being provided with a similar horizontal foot 2 1. A sub-frame, generally designated by the numeral 25, consists of hollow rectangular members 26, 2.2, 23, 29, secured together to form a light, strong rectangular frame.

Referring now to Figure 10, the upright 20 provided near its top end with a bearing 39, and the upright 2| is provided with a similar bearing 3! and both the uprights 2i. and H are provided with aligned holes which are in alignment with the holes in the bearings 38 and 3|.

A shaft 32 is journaled in the bearing 39, extends through the aligned holes in the upright '26 and carries on its outer end a flange member 33. The inner end of the shaft 32 carries 'a plate member 34 which is secured to a midpoint of the frame member 28. The plate 34 permits the frame to be offset so that its upper surface lies substantially parallel to the aXis of the shaft 32.

The bearing 3| has journaled therein a shaft 35 which extends through the aligned holes in the upright 2| and carries on its outer end a collar 36. The inner end of the shaft 35 carries a plate member 31 which is secured to the mid-point of the frame member 26, the upper surface of the frame being parallel to the axis of the shaft 35.

The printing frame, generally designated by the numeral 36, consists of a top or cover member including frame members 39, 49, 4| and 42, as may be seen in Figures 1 and 4, and a printing frame base structure comprised of frame embers 43, 44, and 46 secured together to form a rigid structure. This structure may be seen in Figure 7 and it may partially be seen in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 11, which is a view taken along the lines I, in Figure 4, the subframe member 29 has secured thereto a bracket member 47 which forms a bearing for a stud shaft 48. The stud shaft is preferably formed integral with a plate 49 which is secured to the mid-point of the frame member 46 of the printing frame base structure, the bracket member 41 being secured to the mid point of the sub-frame member 29. The sub-frame member 2? has a bracket 5| secured thereto at its mid point, and a bracket 56 is secured to the mid point of the printing frame base member 44.

The bracket 56 preferably has formed integral therewith a stud shaft 52 which journals in the bracket 5| so that the printing frame swivels in the bearings formed in the brackets 4'! and Si, permitting the frame to be turned to any angle relative to the sub-frame, and since the sub-frame, generally designated by the numeral 25, is pivotally mounted in the uprights 26 and 2|, the printing frame may be set to any angle with the horizontal and/or the vertical.

The printing frame base structure comprised of frame members 43, 44, 45 and 46, carries between the frame members a baseboard 53 having its upper face preferably in line with the upper surfaces of said frame members, as viewed in Figures 11 and 12.

The baseboard 53 may be provided with a plurality of openings 54, the purpose of which will presently be described.

Secured to the upper surface of the printing frame base structure is a rubber mat 55 which normally lies fiat on the baseboard 53 as shown in Figures 11 and 12, and projects over onto the upper surfaces of the frame members 43, 44, 45 and 46.

In Figures 8 and 17, the method of securing the mat 55 to the frame members is shown. As may be seen in Figure 8, the surface of the active portion of the mat 55 is corrugated, as indicated at 56. About this active area is an upstanding bead 5'. which when the frame is closed, forms an intimate contact with the lower surface of the glass plate 58, as may be seen in Figures 10 and 11. Outside of this continuous bead 51 is a continuous flange 59, and a reinforcing strip overlies a portion of the flange 59. A plurality of screws 6| passing through the reinforcing strip 66 and flange 59 into the frame members beneath serves to secure the mat 55 to the lower frame structure.

In order to maintain the base board with its upper surface level with the upper surface of the base structure 43, 44, 45 and 46, a plurality of plunger members 62 are provided, each member consisting of a threaded shank 63, a large head 64, a spring 65 and a nut 66. The plunger members are arranged in rows with three plunger members in each row in the embodiment herein shown. The number of members depends on the size of the frame.

Each group of three plunger members has a cross member 61 in the frame as may be seen in Figure 11, and there are three cross members in the frame. Holes are provided in the cross members through which the threaded shanks 63 extend. The spring 63 being on one side of the .cross member and the adjusting nut 66 on the opposite side so that by adjusting the nuts 66, the proper balanced condition between the baseboard 53 and the mat 55 may be obtained.

The top or cover member of the printing frame (formed of frame members 39, 40, 4| and 42) carries Z-shaped strips 68 which secure the glass plate 58 to the lower surface thereof with a suitable gasket 69 therebetween.

The mat 55, Figures 2 and 3, carries a nipple it having a passage therethrough communicating with the surface above the top of the mat 55 which forms the space in which the matter to be printed lies when the printing frame is closed. The nipple I0 is shouldered and carries a washer 52 below the mat 55 and a washer 73 above the mat 55. A suitable hose connection 14 is connected to a motor driven vacuum pump 15 so that when the vacuum pump 15 operates, the frame being closed, having the matter to be printed posit oned between the glass plate 58 and the rubber mat 55, the vacuum pump creates a vacuum in the space between the glass and the mat, and the air pressure acting against the lower face of the mat through the openings 54 in the baseboard, tightly presses the mat together with the copy in the frame against the glass plate 58.

Method of supporting the printing frame cover member upon its base member Referring now to Figures 1, 4, l3 and 14, a pair of lugs 16 is secured to the outer face of the frame member 40 and a second pair of lugs 11 is also secured to the frame member 40 and spaced apart from the pair I6. The lugs 16 carry a pivot pin 18 and the lugs l1 carry a pivot pin 19. An eye bolt forms a bearing for the pivot pin 18 and a like eye bolt 6| forms a bearing for the pivot pin 19. The eye bolts are adjustably carried on the base member, as shown in Figures 13 and 14. A U-shaped channel member 82 is secured to the base member and has aligned holes therein through which the shank of the eye bolt 86 extends. A nut 83 above one web of the channel and a nut 84 beneath said web of the channel permit the adjustment and locking of the eye bolt 80 in a vertical plane, so that when the cover member is closed, it may be level with the mat 55 carried on the base member. The eye bolt 8| is adjustably supported in the same manner. The printing frame is provided with toggle braces 85 and 86. These toggle braces are identical, and details of one of them, namely 85, are shown in Figures 13 and 14.

A bracket 8! is secured to the side 4| of the cover member. A link 89 has one end thereof pivotally connected to the bracket 8'! by means of a pivot screw 90 and its other end pivotally connected to a bell crank 9| by means of a pivot screw 92. The bell crank 9| is journaled on a 'pivotstud 93 carried by the bracket 88. The tail -94 of the bell crankhas a tie rod 95 secured thereto. This tie rod 'is positioned below the base member and extends across to the other side thereof Where its other end is secured to a bell crank similar to the bell crank 9|, thereby causing the toggle braces 95 and '86 to act in unison as the cover member is raised.

In order to compensate for the weight of the cover, springs 96, 97, 98, 99, are provided. Springs 96 and 91 are positioned beneath the frame member 43 of the frame base. The spring 96 has one end connected to a link I96 carried on the tie rod 95 and its other end connected to a slidabl'e member I'ilI. The slidable member preferably has a square shank to prevent rotation when the springs are adjusted, as will presently be described.

Abracket I92 on frame member 43 has a square hole formed therein through which the slidable member IIJI extends. A bracket I63 is also secured to the frame 43 and has a hole therein through which the threaded portion of the slidable member ilII extends so that by means of a nut I04, the slidable member may be moved against the urge of the spring 96 and the spring 91, which is connected in parallel with the spring 96, line I also carried on the tie rod 95 engaging one end of the spring 9'! and the other end being secured to the slidable member IOI. The springs 98 and 99 are mounted in the same manner beneath the frame base member 45, the links I96 and I9! carried on the tie rod 95 engaging the upper ends of springs 99 and 98 respectively (as Viewed in Figure 7) and a slidable member I98 engaging the lower ends of the springs 98 and 99. The slidable member is supported by a bracket I69, like the bracket I42, and a bracket III! like the bracket I93. A nut I I I is carried on the threaded end of the slidable member I98. By means of the nuts I04 and III the tension of the springs may be adjusted to compensate for the weight of the cover member so that it may be easily raised and lowered.

Method of locking the'p'rintz'ng frame in its closed position The side 42 of the frame cover member carries a plate II2, the plate being secured thereto by suitable screws II 3. Spaced apart from the plate II2 on the member 42 is a second late II4 secured thereto byscrews I I5.

Slidably carried on the plate H2 is a bracket I'I6 having a portion I I1 overlying the upper surface of the member 42. The bracket is secured to the plate II2 by means of screws H8 passing through slotted holes in the bracket. The bracket extends below the member 42 and the lower portion thereof serves as a support for a stud shaft II9 carrying a roller I29. The portion II'I overlying the member 42 carries a set screw I2I which may be locked in any desired setting by means of a nut I22.

The plate l 54 carries a like bracket I23 secured to the plate by means of screws I24 extending through slotted holes in the bracket. The bracket I23 has its upper portion I25 overlying the upper surface of the member 42 and carries a set screw I26 and a lock nut I21. The lower end of the bracket carries a stud shaft I28 upon which is mounted a roller I29.

A guiding block I39 is secured to the sub-frame member 44 and is slotted to form -a guide for a locking bolt I3I. A similar guide block I32 is secured to the sub-frame member 44 in spaced relation to the guide block I39 and forms a guide for the locking bolt I33.

The locking bolt I3I has a plate I34 secured thereto by screws I35 and the bolt I33 has a like is suitably journaled in a bearing block I44 (Figure 7) carried on the lower face of the sub-frame member 44.

A stop I46 secured to the member 44 engages and stops the movement of the bolt I3I toward the right, as viewed in Figure '18. When the bolt is stopped by the stop I46, it is completely disengaged from and is out of the path of the roller I26 and likewise the bolt I33 has been moved to the right to a point where it is completely disengaged from and out of the path of the roller I29. A handle I4! is secured to the shaft I43 so that the operator may, by means of this handle, rotate the shaft.

The printing frame cover member is provided with a suitable handle I45 to facilitate the handling thereof. Assuming that the printing frame is open and matter to be printed is placed on the'mat 55 and it is desired to close the frame, the frame cover member is lowered and the handle I41, which is, at that time, in the dotted position, is grasped and rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 18, to the position shown in solid lines. This causes the pinion 42 to propel the rack I4I toward the left. The bar I33 and the bolts I3I and I33 secured thereto are at the same time moved to the left. Due to the tapered surfaces near the left ends of the bolts I3! and E33, the rollers I29 and I29 are urged downwardly a sufiicient amount to tightly close the frame (the tapers being proportioned to do this) and by the time the handle I41 has assumed the position shown in solid lines, straight portions of the bolts engage the rollers and the frame is thereby securely locked together.

Since the handle 14'! is so conveniently located that an operator might, by chance, grasp it and turn it when the frame is in some other position than its normal position, a second handle is provided and is so positioned that the operator must, of necessity, operate it with his other hand. This handle designated by the numeral I48 forms the upper end of a lever I49 which is pivotally mounted upon an adjustable plate I59, the pivot being designated by the numeral I5I. The plate I59 is flanked on either side by guide plates I52 and I53. The plate I56 is secured to the frame member 42 by means of screws I54 passing through slotted holes in the plate I50. The lower end of the lever I49 is rounded and has an open slot I55 formed therein and adapted to engage a stud I56 carried on the frame member 44. A stop pin i5! is provided to limit the clockwise movement of the lever about its pivot I5I and a spring I58 having one end secured to the lever at I59 and its other end secured to the frame member 42 at I65 is provided for urging the lever I49 in a clockwise direction. The curve of the lower end of the lever is so proportioned that when the frame is closed,.it comes against the pin I56 and moves in a counter-clockwise direction, and as soon as the frame'is tightly closed by means of the lever I47, the stud I56 enters the slot I55, thereby further locking the frame together.

Mechanism for locking the printing frame and sub-frame in parallel planes The printing frame base member carries two overhanging bars I6I, I62. These are secured to the member 46 in spaced relation to each other and may be seen in Figures 1, 4, '1, 12 and 13. These overhanging bars are identical and the description thereof will be confined to one of the bars I 6| as seen in Figures 1 and 13. The bar I6I is positively secured to the member 46 and has its lower end I63 grounded, the purpose of which will presently be described.

A hole I64 is formed in the bar I6I and terminates in the outer surface thereof adjacent to the curved portion I63 thereof. The hole I64 is adapted to be engaged by a plunger I65 and thereby the plane of the printing frame is locked in parallel relation to the plane of the sub-frame 25. A similar hole in the overhanging bar I62 is adapted to be engaged by a plunger I66. The plungers I65 and I66 are conjointly controlled by a shaft I61 which is journaled in bearings carried by the brackets I68, I69 and I10, said brackets being secured to the member 29 of the sub-frame 25, as may be seen in Figures 1, 4, 7, l2, and 13. In Figure 13, the bracket I69 may be seen supporting the shaft I61. This shaft carries a crank arm IN, the lower end of which carries a slot I12 which has cooperating therewith a cross pin I13 carried by the plunger I65. A U-shaped bracket I14 is secured to the member 29 of the sub-frame and has formed therethrough, aligned holes in which the plunger I65 may be reciprocated. The plunger I66 is supported on the frame member by a bracket I15 and is moved by a crank I16 carried on the shaft I61, the crank I16 and the bracket I15 being similar to the crank HI and the bracket I14 respectively, so that when the shaft I61 is moved about its axis in the manner to be described, the plungers I65, I66 are positively controlled.

The shaft I61 (Figure 7) carries on its left end, a crank I11 which may be clearly seen in Figure 12. The crank I11 may have a slightly elongated hole I18 engaged by a pin I19 carried by a push rod I80. U shaped brackets I8I, I82, are secured to the member 28 of the subframe, and have aligned holes therethrough in which the push rod I80 may be reciprocated. A spring I83 has one end bearing against the bracket I82 and its other end bearing against a washer I84, and the washer in turn presses against a cross pin I85 mounted in a hole for the purpose, in the push rod I80.

With the plungers I 65 and I66 engaging the holes in the bars [BI and I62 and thereby holding the printing frame in a plane parallel to the plane of the sub-frame 25, the operator may, when it is desired to release the printing frame, push the handle I80a of the push rod and thereby withdraw the plungers I65 and I66 from the bars I6I and I62. This permits the printing frame to be moved about its pivots 48 and 52, and in order that the operator may move the frame to a definite position about said pivots, protractor means is provided.

Referring now to Figures ll, 17 and 18, a protractor I86 is secured to the printing frame base member 44 by means of screws I81, I88. Suitable spacing sleeves I89 and I80 are carried on the screws I81 and I88 respectively to support the protractor in spaced relation to the member 44 and thereby providing proper clearance for the bar I38. A bar I9I is secured to the subframe member 21 and has a downwardly projecting pointer I92 which is traversed by the protractor as the printing frame is moved on its pivots 48 and 52. Therefore, the printing frame may be set into any desired angular relation with the plane of the sub-frame 25.

In order that the printing frame may remain in any desired setting, the bearings 41 and SI may fit the pivot studs 48 and 52 just tight enough to permit the frame to be moved with a little effort and the frame will remain at any given setting, or locking means may be provided for positively locking the printing frame at any desired setting.

In order that the sub-frame 25 may be set to any given angle with the horizontal or vertical, protractor means is provided which may consist of a protractor disk I93 secured to the outer face of the flange member 33. The upright 20 is provided with a cap I94 to which a bracket I95 is secured. The bracket I95 carries a horizontal stud I96 which forms a support for a pointer I91 overlying the face of the protractor disk E93 so that the sub-frame 25 may be set to any definite angle.

The upright 20 carries a lever I98. A stud I99, carried on a bracket I99a secured to the upright 20, forms a pivot for the lever I98. A rod 268 carries on its upper end an eye 20I which is pivotally connected to one end of the lever I98 by means of a shouldered screw 20Ia. The lower end of the rod carries a yoke 202 which is pivotally connected to one end of a lever 203. The lever 203 is pivotall secured to the upright 20 by means of a shouldered screw 204 and carries on its outer end a foot pedal 205. Extending downwardly from the pedal 205 is a guide rod 296 which engages a hole in the angle 201 which is secured to the horizontal foot 23.

A bracket 208 secured to the upright 20 has an overhanging portion 209 with a hol therein through which the rod 200 passes. A collar 2I0 is secured to the rod 200, and a spring 2 is positioned between the collar 2H] and the overhanging portion 209. The function of this spring is to urge the rod downwardly toward its lowest position. A brake band 2I2 provided with suitable brake lining 2I3, embraces the flange member 33. One end of the brake band 2I2 embraces the stud I99 and the other end embraces a shouldered screw 2I4. Due to the urge of the spring 2! I, the brake band tightly grips the fiange member 33, and when the pedal 205 is depressed, the rod 200 moves upwardly against the urge of the spring 2H and releases the grip of the brake on the fiange member 33, thereby permitting the sub-frame 25 to be freely moved on its pivots 32 and 35.

An arm 2l5 is secured to the upright 20 and projects horizontally to the left (as viewed in Figures 5 and 6). A suitable brace 2I6 has one end secured to the arm 2I5 and the other end secured to the upright 20, to lend rigidity to the arm 2| 5. A spring loaded plunger 2I1 is carried on the arm 2I5 and is provided with a knob 2I8 for manually retracting the plunger. This plunger may be seen in Figures 5, 6, 8 and 9. Secured to the member 28 of the sub-frame, is a projecting arm 2I9 having a hole 220 formed therein and adapted to be engaged by the plunger 2I1 when the sub-frame 25 lines in a horizontal plane. When the hole is so engaged by the plunger, the printing frame is locked against movement and therefore the frame may be opened and setups can be made with the greatest of facility. After a setup has been made, in order to move the sub-frame, it is necessary for the operator to grasp the knob H8 and retract the plunger and at the same time to depress the pedal 255 to release the brake.

As an added safety feature, the arm 2E5 may be provided with a vertical projection 22I which forms a support for a vacuum control generally designated by the numeral 222. Details of this vacuum control may be seen in Figure 8, and consists of a casing member 223 supported on the extension 22I andcarrying a flexible diaphragm 224. A plunger 225 extends through the diaphragm in sealed relation therewith. A casing member 225 forms a closure and is supported on the member 223 in sealed relation with the diaphragm to form a vacuum chamber 22?. The plunger 225 has a bearing in the member 225 including suitable packing 228 about the plunger 225. The other end of the plunger reciprocates in the bearing formed in the member 223. A spring 229 within the vacuum chamber 221 embraces the plunger 225 and urges it toward the sub-frame 25. One wall of the member 25 has a bushing 23!! with a passage therethrough communicating with the chamber 227 to which the branch hose connection Ma may be attached.

The member 28 of the sub-frame 25 has secured thereto an arm 23I having a hole 252 formed therein and adapted to be engaged by the end of the plunger 225 when the sub-frame is in the horizontal position. After a wanted setup has been made and it is desired to move the printing frame in some other position than horizontal for printing purposes, the manual re traction of the plunger 2I'I and the depression of the foot pedal 255 will not permit the sub frame to be moved, due to the vacuum control 222. However, as soon as the vacuum pump I5 is set into operation, the pressure in the chamber 221 is reduced, an atmospheric pressure working on the side of the diaphragm opposite the chamber 221 will cause the plunger to move out of the hole 232, and release the sub-frame 25.

Operation of the printing frame frame is locked in this relation with the sub- I frame 25. The sub-frame 2.5 is then rotated on its pivots 3'2 and 35 to bring the sub-frame and the printing frame in a horizontal plane, thereby providing a work table. The printing frame is then opened. In opening the frame, the operator grasps the lever I41 with his right hand in order to move it to the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 18 and While so doing, retracts the locking bolts ISI and I33. .At the same time he grasps the lever I48 with his left hand and moves it in a counter-clockwise direction to release the stud I55 from the open slot I55.

The resilience of the bead 51 causes the print ing frame cover to move upwardly a sufficient distance to prevent the stud I55 from being reengaged by the slot I55. The operator may then grasp the handle M5. and raise the cover portion on its pivots I8 and I5. Due to the springs 96, 91, 98 and 99, the cover will remain in any position to which it is set, thereby permitting the operator to use both hands in arranging the matter to be Worked upon.

After the matter to be worked upon its properly disposed in the printing frame, the cover member 38 is closed down and the hand lever I41 is moved from the dotted position shown in Fig. 18 to the position shown in solid lines, thereby driving the bolts I3I, I33, to the left and clamping the cover member 38 down against the bead 57. As the lever I41 reaches the position shown in solid lines, the stud I56 is engaged by the slot I55 and a vacuum type seal is effected between the bead 57 and the glass plate 58.

The operator then starts the vacuum pump I5 in operation, thereby creating vacuum between the glass and the mat 55. As a result of this, the atmospheric pressure acting against the bottom of the mat 55 through the openings 54 firmly presses the matter to be worked upon into intimate contact with each other and with the glass plate 58. g

The interior 221 of the vacuum control 222 is also subjected to the vacuum via the branch hose connection 'I i" with the result that the pin 225 is withdrawn from the hole 232 thereby permitting the sub-frame to be moved about its pivots, 32 and when the spring plunger 2I'I is retracted and the brake is released by means of the foot pedal 205.

By means of the protractor I93, the sub-frame may be set to any desired angle with either the horizontal or vertical. If it is desired to rotate the printing frame per se about its pivots 48 and 52, the operator may shove the handle I8!) (to the right as viewed in Fig. 12), and thereby release the plungers and 66 from the arm members I5I and I62 respectively carried on the printing frame. After this release, the, printing frame. may be moved about the pivots, 43 and 52, as aforesaid.

With the new and improved frame, the source of light may have, any desired position relative to the frame and the frame may be adjusted to the light instead of the light being adjusted to the frame. By means of the protractor I93, the frame may be set to any desired angle relative to the sub-frame.

In photo-engraving, it is often desired to spread a line or spread a point, in which event the operator places a transparency of a given thickness between the negative and the plate so that when the printing frame is angularly disposed relative to the light in one direction, it throws a shadow on the negative overlying the border line on the negative, for example, and after exposing the plate for a certain length of time the frame may be moved to an angle on the other side of the vertical relative to the light, thereby throwing the shadow of the line so that it overlies the image of the line in an opposite direction, and thereby the resultant exposed line on the plate is of a cross section resembling a rhombus. In other words, it is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, instead of being undercut as would be the case had the line not been spread. In the case of spreading a point," the resultant cross section resembles the frustum of a cone.

By my new and improved frame particularly adapted for photo-engraving work, the product is greatly improved due to the fact that- (l) The operator, when the frame is open, can

accurately position the work therein;

(2) The operator has greater leeway in making the exposures;

(3) The spreading of lines or points is facilitated; and

(4) The operator can turn out more work per frame without working as hard.

Although one embodiment of the new and improved printing frame is given by way of example, it must be understood that many variations may be made in the arrangement herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a toggle brace connected to said base structure and to said cover member, adjustable spring means carried on said base structure and connected to said toggle brace adapted to balance said cover member on said base structure, a sub frame pivotally supporting said frame, and a support for said sub-frame.

2. In a printing frame, a base structure a mat carried on sa d structure, a cover member hin edly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a toggle brace connected to said base structure and to said cover member, adjustable spring m an ca r ed on said b se s r cture and conn ed "rid t gle b$CP adap 'ed to balance said member n said base structure. a

sub-f ame. p votal means supporting said printing frame on said sub-frame, a pair of uprights spaced apart from each other, and other pivotal means support ng said sub-frame on said uprights, said first and said second mentioned pivotal means forming with sa d sub-frame, a gimbal between said printing frame and said uprights.

3. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a continuous resilient bead secured to said mat, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member and adapted to contact said bead when said cover member is closed and thereby define an area of said mat to be subjected to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, a vacuum pump and means connecting the inlet of said pump to said area, a toggle brace connected to said base structure and to said cover member, adjustable spring means carried on said base structure and connected to said toggle brace adapted to balance said cover member on said base structure, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said frame, and a support for said sub-frame.

4. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a toggle brace connected to said base structure and to said cover member, adjustable spring means carried on said base structure and connected to said toggle brace adapted to balance said cover member on said base structure, a sub-frame, pivotal means supporting said printing frame on said sub-frame, a pair of uprights spaced apart from each other, a protractor associated with said first pivotal means for setting said printing frame in definite angular relation with said sub-frame, and a second protractor means associated with said second-mentioned pivotal means for setting said sub-frame in definite angular relation with said uprights.

5. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a. cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a resilient bead carried by said mat and adapted to be contacted by said plate when the cover member is closed, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said frame, supporting means carrying pivotal supports for said sub-frame, brake means associated with one of said last-mentioned pivotal supports for holding said sub-frame in any position about its pivots, and means for releasing said brake means and including a foot pedal which when depressed releases said brake means.

6. In a printing frame, a base structure, a. mat carried on said structure, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a resilient bead carried by said mat and adapted to be contacted by said plate when the cover member is closed, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said frame, supporting means carrying pivotal supports for said sub-frame, and means partly carried on said printing frame and partly carried on said sub-frame for locking said printing frame in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said sub-frame.

7. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a resilient bead carried by said mat and adapted to be contacted by said plate when the cover member is closed, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said frame, a pair of uprights each carrying a pivotal support for said sub-frame, and locking means partly carried by one of said uprights and partly carried by said sub-frame for locking the latter in a horizontal plane.

8. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a resilient bead carried by said mat and adapted to be contacted by said plate when the cover member is closed, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said frame, supporting means carrying pivotal supports for said sub-frame, means partly carried on said printing frame and partly carried on said sub-frame for locking said printing frame in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said sub-frame, a pair of uprights each forming a pivotal support for said sub-frame, and locking means partly carried on said sub-frame and partly carried on one of said uprights adapted to be brought into cooperative relationship when said sub-frame is moved to a horizontal position, whereby said printing frame is locked in parallel relation to said sub-frame and when opened said base structure may form a work table.

9. A printing frame according to claim 8 in which said printing frame carries mechanism for forcing said transparent plate into sealed relation with said bead, and in which the area between the mat and the plate bounded by said bead is subjected to a negative pressure, said mechanism including a pair of engaging members reciprocably mounted on said base structure, means for moving said engaging members, and rollers carried by said cover member adapted to be engaged by said engaging members.

10. In a vacuum printing frame, a base structure, a mat secured thereto, a bead carried by said mat for defining a maximum working area, a cover member hinged to said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member and adapted to contact said bead when said frame is closed, a plurality of arms carried by said cover member adapted to overlie one side of said base structure when said frame is closed, a roller on each arm, a plurality of bolts reciprocably carried on said base structure, a rack for moving said bolts into and out of engagement with said rollers for locking and unlocking said printing frame, a pinion meshing with said rack, a hand lever for rotating said pinion, and means for subjecting said working area to a negative pressure.

11. In a printing frame, a base structure, a mat carried on said structure, a cover member hingedly supported on said base structure, a transparent plate carried by said cover member, a resilient bead carried by said mat and adapted to be contacted by said plate when the cover member is closed, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said frame, a pair of uprights each carrying a pivotal support for said sub-frame, manually releasable locking means partly carried by one of said uprights and partly carried by said subframe for locking the latter in a horizontal plane, and means for subjecting the space between said mat and said transparent plate bounded by said resilient bead to a negative pressure, vacuum controlled locking means carried by one of said uprights and including a plunger, an overhanging arm carried by said sub-frame, means forming a hole in said overhanging arm, said hole adapted to be engaged by said plunger when said subframe is in the horizontal plane, and means for subjecting said vacuum controlled locking means to said negative pressure whereby its plunger will disengage the hole in said arm and permit the sub-frame to be moved only while said space is subjected to negative pressure.

12. A printing frame according to claim 11 in which a supplemental locking device is partially carried on said cover member and partially carried on said base structure and adapted to hold said frame closed whether said rollers are released by said bolts or not, thereby making it necessary for the operator to disengage both the locking means comprised of said bolts and rollers and said supplemental locking means as a precautionary measure before said frame can be opened.

13. In a printing frame in combination, said frame being comprised of a base member and a cover member, a gimbal frame pivotally supporting said printing frame, a pair of uprightspivotally supporting said gimbal frame in a plane angular with respect to the pivotal support of said frame, and protractor means associated with said printing frame whereby the same may be set at any angle relative to said gimbal frame, and a second protractor means associated with the pivotal means of said gimbal frame whereby the latter may be set to any angle about its pivots.

14. In a printing frame in combination, a base structure and a cover member hingedly supported thereon to form said frame, a mat carried by said base structure, a glass plate carried by said cover member, a resilient bead secured to said mat and adapted to be contacted by said glass plate when the cover member is closed, a sub-frame pivotally supporting said printing frame, a pair of overhanging arms carried by said printing frame and having holes formed therein parallel to the plane of said base structure, a pair of plungers reciprocably mounted on said subframe and adapted to be moved in unison, and a push rod extending across said sub-frame to a position opposite said plungers whereby an operator may, when on said opposite side of said frame, disengage said plungers.

15. A printing frame according to claim 14 in which a shaft is mounted along an edge of said sub-frame adjacent to said plungers, in which linkages are provided between said shaft and said plungers, and in which an additional link carried on said shaft has in cooperative relation therewith a reciprocable rod extending to the opposite side of said sub-frame thereby permitting an operator through the medium of the reciprocable rod to retract said plungers.

16. In a printing frame in combination, a support for said frame, pivots between said support f and said frame, brake means associated with at least one of said pivots and normally acting to restrain the frame against movement, and means including a member to be actuated by the foot for releasing said brake means whereby said frame may be freely moved on said pivots.

HENRY A. ULSHEIMER. 

